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nections, but are voluntary associations and consist of persons of the same an:e. The Blffek 

 Tail Deer band consists of very old men, and the other bands of ages in a descending series to 

 thti Foxes, which is a band of very young men- 

 Air. Kipp, of Fort Bethold, is my authority here. 



THE ASSINIBOINE NATION. 



This is a large wanderinj tribe, ranging in a very extensive country north of the IMissourr, 

 extending far into British Amerlci, and lying east of the Bl;ickfoot country. Tlie larger p.irt 

 trades with the British company, and oidy about six hundred lodges trade with the Americans. 

 '1 heir name signifies the Stone People. Their language is kindred to the Sioux. 



THE CROW NATION. 



This is a largo nation inhabiting the country drained by the Yellowstone. It is divided into 

 two large villages or bands, and these are again divided into bands formed of family connections ; 

 t)ie connections are here counted on the mothers' side instead of the fithers'. The Crow people 

 are very brave and are great warriors. They and the Gros Ventre nation spe.di the same language. 



.Mr. Meldrum, who lias lived for twenly-five years amongst the Crows, is my authority here. 

 He makes twelve souls ths average number to a lodge amongst this people, as it is well known 

 lliai they have more to a lodge than any other nation. It will be noticed that the average 

 varies in each nation. 



THE BLACKFOOT NATION. 



This is also a large and very warlike nation, living north of the Missouri, and partly in the 

 British dominions. Its minor divisions are not well ascertained, because only a part trade with 

 tlie Americans, and they generally come to the Fort in very large numbers. The division into 

 North and South Blackfeet is probably a division made by the traders for their own convenience. 

 The first three divisions speak the same language, but the Gros Ventre du Prairie, although 

 fully incorporated with the Biackfoot nation, speak a diflerent tongue, said to be the same as 

 that of the Arapahoes on the .Arkansas. 



My. Malcom Clark, of Fort Benton, is my authority. 



